The students who have completed this course report that about 90% of what they learn is new. 

That is to say almost all of the content is information about democracy they had never read, never heard of, nor thought about previously.

Accordingly, this course is not for “traditionalists”.

If you are content with the current version of democracy (that is now in retreat around the world), do not take this course. If in contrast, you love democracy but think we could have a much better version of it, this course will be of value. When you complete the Course you will see democracy through a radically different set of lenses. And most importantly you will be excited about the possibilities of what a fourth wave of democracy could be.

The first step in getting to a fourth wave, however, requires us to know something about the first three waves of democracy, which is what we will do next.